Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
13 “All these faithful ones died without receiving what GOD had promised them, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed the promises of GOD. They agreed that they were no more than foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 And obviously people who talk like that are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had meant the country they came from, they would have found a way to go back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why GOD is not ashamed to be called their GOD, for HE has prepared a heavenly city for them.” ~ Hebrews 11:13-16
That we are “foreigners and nomads” may be an awareness forced on us by circumstances. It may come late in life or as the result of difficult times. But this world is not our home. We cannot live her forever. It is best for us not to be so attached to this world’s desires and possessions that we cannot move out at GOD’s command. – “This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to GOD’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the lands of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, and province of Asia, and Bithynia.” – 1 Peter 1:1 – This letter is addressed to “GOD’s chosen people who are living as foreigners” in various parts of the world – the Jewish Christians scattered throughout the world as a result of persecution against believers in and around Jerusalem. The first believers and leaders of the early church were Jews. When they became Christians, they did not give up their Jewish heritage, just as we did not give up our nationality when we became a follower of Christ. Because of persecution, these believers had been scattered throughout the Roman world. Persecution did not stop the spread of the Good News; instead, persecution served as a way to introduce the Good News to the whole empire. Thus, the churches to whom Peter wrote also included Gentile Christians.
These people of faith died without receiving all that GOD had promised, but they never lost their vision of heaven – “a better place, a heavenly homeland”. Many Christians become frustrated and defeated because their needs, wants, expectations, and demands are not immediately met when they accept Christ as Savior. They become impatient and want to quit. Are you discouraged because the achievement of your goal seems far away? Take courage from these heroes of faith, who lived and died without seeing the fruit of their labor on earth and yet continued to believe.
Lord, it is so hard to hold on to our faith and believe. We become frustrated and defeated because we feel as though our needs, wants, expectations and demands are not being met fast enough. Sometimes we feel that because we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, everything should be easier, we become impatient and want to give up and quit. But thank YOU Father, that we can take courage from the heroes of faith who lived and died without seeing the fruit of their faith here on earth – yet they continued to believe. Help us Father GOD as we struggle to hold on to our faith when we want to give up.
Photo: Bar Harbor (Maine)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
